Art of the state at the Kentucky International Convention Center

Twenty-seven pieces of art by eight artists adorn the walls of the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC). They differ in style, subject matter and the materials used to create them, but one thing they have in common is that the artists are connected to Kentucky.

When it was time to choose the art for the newly renovated KICC, the venue’s leadership turned to Louisville-based Zephyr Gallery, which loans and installs Kentucky regional art for individual businesses through its Corporate Art Program.

Chris Radkte, an artist and co-owner of the gallery, got to choose potential pieces for KICC. Her goal was to showcase Kentucky-based artists to visitors from around the world and highlight the diversity of the art produced by artists in the commonwealth.

Linda Edwards, KICC’s vice president and Mike Grisanti of the Kentucky State Fair Board then chose the 27 pieces to be displayed at the convention center. The eclectic final selection includes a mix of oils, acrylics, photographs and other media depicting people, elements of nature and abstract creations.

Because of the sheer size of the space at KICC, the pieces tend to be very large. Adrienne Dixon’s collection of five panels stands 10.5 feet tall, while Gibbs Rounsavall’s Big Things, Little Beginnings is 8 feet in diameter and Sandra Charles’s Shanna as Queen Yaa Asantewaa is five feet tall.

Placed strategically throughout the venue, the art is easily seen by guests waiting for an event in a pre-function space or while traveling from one meeting room to the next. Through the Zephyr partnership, it will be on display for at least five years. Ideally, exposure to an international audience will not only bring more recognition to the eight artists on display but also a deeper appreciation of what Kentucky has to offer.

Located at the center of Louisville’s bustling and burgeoning downtown, the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC) is showing off its $207 million renovation and expansion, making it a top tier convention center and a must-see business hub. For Louisville and Kentucky, KICC provides a significant amount of economic impact and employs approximately 150 people. For the visitor experience, KICC means close proximity to more than 6,000 hotel room and dozens of fine dining and casual restaurants as well as walking distance to a vast array of museums, distilleries, gift shops and other attractions. KICC is at the center of it all!